Fossa Chocolate - 53% Dark Milk Ginseng Chrysanthemum (Tea) (bar) - Jan. 9, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fossa Chocolate

53% Dark Milk Ginseng Chrysanthemum (Tea) (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 139 calories in 1/2 bar; (278 calories in 1 bar)
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #15 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs & Spices Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and the Philippines Theme Week. 

Today's 53% Dark Milk Ginseng Chrysanthemum (Tea) (bar) was from Fossa Chocolate Pte Ltd (Singapore). They used cacao from the Philippines to make this chocolate.

Aroma notes included: dark milk chocolate; faint tea; clean, slightly floral, faint, fleeting olive (oil) (there was no olive oil); and mild root/herb (ginseng).

Texture: very smooth, buttery texture. The chrysanthemum and ginseng flavor elements were fully incorporated into the chocolate, leaving no botanical "grit."

I loved the fine creamy texture and the fact that the ginseng and chrysanthemum flavors seemed to be very harmonious together.

However, I was even happier to find that despite relatively high levels of milk and sugar I could still taste and enjoy the tea-like chrysanthemum (light, clean, honey-ed, almost chamomile-like floral) and ginseng (pleasant root, herb) notes. 

It reminded me of a very special sweet and floral milk tea -- that I've never had before, but now I want to find or make.

Thank you to the makers for the short list of high-quality ingredients and the gentle, balanced complexity in this bar.

Maker's description: "Ginseng chrysanthemum tea has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an immunity booster and a natural remedy to treat fatigue...Blending American ginseng and chrysanthemum buds with fruity cacao from Philippines' Rehoboth Estate makes for a powerful yet comforting aroma..."

Ingredients: "Cacao, cane sugar, cacao butter, milk powder, ginseng, chrysanthemum buds"

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. "Produced in a facility that processes nuts & dairy."  

Fjak Chocolate - Limited Edition - Glogg (Mulled Wine) (bar) - Jan. 8, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Chocolate AS
Limited Edition - Glogg (Mulled Wine) (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2.11 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 352 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $15.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs and Spices Theme Week(s).

Today's Limited Edition - Glogg (Mulled Wine) (bar) was from Fjak Chocolate AS (Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord, Norway).

Crafted in Norway, Fjak's small batch chocolates often include Nordic/European and seasonal flavor inclusions. 

Aroma and flavor notes for this mulled wine bar included: sweet dark chocolate and red fruit (red wine, red grape juice) infused with citrus (orange), apple, and a warm spice blend.

This was a festive and relatively addictive chocolate, that I found very satisfying after being outdoors on a winter day. I paired this chocolate with a hot cup of Wild Sweet Orange tea from Tazo Tea Company.

The interplay of sweet yet sophisticated flavors in this bar evoked an authentic mulled/spiced wine. This was an enjoyable bar to taste, and fun to share with others.

The 60% cacao dark chocolate (made with Tanzania cacao) was relatively sweet. And that sweetness was amplified by the sweet orange (peel), apple, and warm spice notes. (It was comparable to what you'd taste in a sweet mulled/spiced wine.) 

This harmonious blend made me wonder: why haven't I tried a similar chocolate like this before? Where cocoa beans are soaked in red wine and blended with spices. 

Speaking of spices, I really enjoyed tasting all the spices. The short list of quality spices and other ingredients really made a difference.

Maker's tasting notes: "Made with cocoa beans from the wonderful Kokoa Kamili in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. We have infused this fine cocoa with our organic mulled wine recipe, creating a "Bold and Boozy" chocolate bar, with the distinctively spicy and fruity taste, of this seasons winter warmer."

Ingredients: "Cocoa beans* infused with mulled wine (red wine*, apples*, orange peel*, cardamom*, cinnamon*, anise*, cloves*), cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, cardamom*, cinnamon*, anise*, cloves* (* = Organic)"

Allergen-related information: Certified Organic; Vegan; dairy and gluten free. "Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy & gluten"

Intrigue Chocolate - Honey & Salt; Pomegranate Bay Leaf; Fresh Mint; Coffee & Balsamic Fig Truffles - Jan. 7, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.

• 1.) Honey & Sea Salt Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 2.) Pomegranate Bay Leaf Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 3.) Fresh Mint Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 4.) Coffee Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• 5.) Balsamic Fig Truffle - Good ++

Weight: 1.57 oz. (44.5 g.) in 5 truffles / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 245 calories (estimate) for 5 truffles
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #13 of Chocolate, Tea, Herb and Spice Week--featuring a range of bars, truffles, and hot chocolates infused with herbs and/or spices and/or teas.

Today's five truffles were made and distributed by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). These individually-wrapped truffles were part of a 13-piece truffle assortment box. 

Pairing these truffles with a few (non-competing) side dishes and some teas, resulted in an instant, well-crafted cacao feast.

Honey & Sea Salt Truffle aroma and flavor notes included: rich, creamy fudge brownie, honey, very faint honey cookie, and sea salt. Sounds simple, but the flavors were perfectly balanced in this truffle. Another favorite.

Pomegranate & Bay Leaf Truffle notes included: rich chocolate with flavorful red fruit and sophisticated herb (bay leaf). Well-executed, and wonderfully balanced. The result was something akin to a classy, vertical, floral arrangement with subdued, elegant reds and greens. (Ode to a truffle?)

Fresh Mint Truffle notes included: fresh and authentic mint infused into rich, creamy chocolate.But the mint wasn't the strong, overpowering, sweet peppermint found in most mint-flavored chocolates. Instead, the maker chose to use a mint closer to spearmint (and perhaps a touch of another mint). A very nicely balanced chocolate with pleasing, subtly complex mint flavor.

Coffee Truffle notes included: beautiful coffee, cream latte, and coffee cheesecake/cream cheese (there was no cream cheese). I really enjoyed that I could taste the nuanced flavors in the coffee, which was wonderful.

Balsamic & Fig Truffle notes included: rich fruit (dried fig), red wine (there was no wine) and chocolate notes. The Balsamic added some flavor depth and a sweet, rich, slightly tangy taste.

I enjoyed the buttery smooth truffle texture, the authentic and balanced flavors, and the choice of herbs and spices in the assortment box (of 13 truffles). 

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk.  

Intrigue Chocolate - Basil; Orange & Fennel; Ginger & Molasses Truffles - Jan. 6, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
1.) Basil Truffle - Good ++ 
2.) Orange & Fennel Truffle - Good ++
3.) Ginger & Molasses Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: .944 oz. (26.7 g.) in 3 truffles / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 147 calories (estimate) for 3 truffles
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate, Tea, Herb and Spice Week, featuring a range of bars, truffles, teas and flavored hot chocolates.

Today's three truffles were made and distributed by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA). These individually-wrapped truffles were part of a 13-piece truffle assortment box. 

(I also enjoyed these with my own citrus, herb and spice tea that complemented these flavors.)

Aroma and flavor notes for the Basil Truffle included: chocolate (creamy, almost silken ganache) and faint green herb (basil).

Aroma and flavor notes for the Orange & Fennel Truffle included: chocolate (rich, creamy smooth ganache), fleeting savory (appealing mushroom jerky -- in aroma only); toasted fennel seed; and authentic citrus (orange). Light fennel lingered longest in the finish.

Aroma and flavor notes for the Ginger & Molasses Truffle included: creamy chocolate ganache, ground ginger spice, followed by appealing, authentic molasses that lightly lingered into the finish. 

I enjoyed the buttery smooth texture, the authentic and balanced flavors, and the choice of herbs and spices in the assortment box (of 13 truffles).

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk. 

 

Intrigue Chocolate - Gingerbread 60% Cacao (bar) + Brandy Cherry and Anise Seed Truffles - Jan. 5, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.

Gingerbread 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Truffle assortment box 

• Brandy Cherry Truffle - Good ++ - Good +++
• Anise Seed Truffle - Good ++

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs and Spices Theme Week(s).

Today's Gingerbread 60% Cacao (bar) made and distributed by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA) was part of the company's bean-to-bar Origins line. The bar was made using cacao beans from Ghana (Asante Akim region). Community: Three Mountains, Kome blend; Type: "Criollo, Forastero, Trinitario, and more pending identification." Crop Year: 2023.

Aroma notes for this bar included: authentic gingerbread and gingerbread spices, and dark chocolate.

I appreciated the short list of quality ingredients in this well-balanced, judicious and warm seasonal bar. I often find 60% cacao chocolates a little too sweet; but this was not the case today. I could taste both the rich dark chocolate and the spices: the ginger, cinnamon, cloves and a bit of black pepper in this blend. 

(Disclosure I love ginger molasses cookies and gingerbread; and as an adult I also love gingerbread teas and lattes with similar spices.) 

I enjoyed today's Gingerbread bar with two different Intrigue truffles from an assortment box of 13 different, and individually-wrapped, flavors. 

Intrigue's Brandy and Cherry Truffle was a classic. Rich, creamy, dusted in cocoa powder. Very Good. 

A warm cup of Tazo Ginger Jasmine tea + Intrigue's Anise Seed Truffle (also authentic and tasty), provided the "tea" and "herb" components of this week's theme (Chocolate Tea, Herbs and Spices Week). 

Maker's Tasting Notes for Gingerbread bar: "...smells like home and grandma's baking."

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, ginger, cassia cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, sea salt."

Allergy-related information: "No actual bread was harmed in the making of this treat..." (minimizes gluten worries).

ChocolateSpiel - Spicy Orange Chocolate Bar - Jan. 4, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

ChocolateSpiel 
Spicy Orange Chocolate Bar
Good ++ 
Weight: 1 oz. (27 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Etsy.com, ChocolateSpiel, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Spicy Orange Chocolate Bar was from ChocolateSpiel (Seattle, WA).

Aroma notes included: chocolate; citrus (orange) and spices.

Overlapping splashes of colored cocoa butter "paints" gave this bar an attractive/festive appearance.

This chocolate had a smooth, relatively creamy texture.

Flavor notes included: chocolate (smooth, dark ganache), citrus (orange) and a bit of spicy heat.

The orange flavor with the dark chocolate and spices was a successful blend. I enjoyed this bar with a cup of tea.

Maker's tasting notes: "72% bean to bar chocolate made with Colombian cocoa beans. This bar has a classic cayenne pepper spiciness to it and fruity orange flavor."

Ingredients: Cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter, orange oil, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, harissa seasoning, colored cocoa butter.  

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of tree nuts, gluten, coconut and peanuts." (The colors are made with colored cocoa butter. "Some of the colors (used) are artificial."

Raaka - Winter Citrus Unroasted Dark Chocolate 53% Cacao (bar) - Jan. 3, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Raaka 
Winter Citrus Unroasted Dark Chocolate 53% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $7.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Raaka, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate, Tea, Herbs and Spices Theme Week.

Today's organic Winter Citrus Unroasted Dark Chocolate 53% Cacao (bar) was from Raaka Chocolate (Brooklyn, NY). 

This bar was made with unroasted, organic, cacao beans from the Semuliki Forest, Uganda. 

Aroma notes included: sweet, smooth chocolate, subtle coconut (milk), and faint citrus (bergamot orange--that flavors Earl Grey tea).

The texture was smooth, creamy, almost silky (from coconut milk + cocoa butter).

Flavor notes included: rich, sweet and creamy dark chocolate; subtle coconut milk; and lovely, floral, citrus (bergamot orange). Unlike some vanilla and floral aromas in bars that recede when you taste the chocolate, both the cacao and bergamot in this Winter Citrus bar blossomed very nicely (and harmoniously) with the first bite.

I felt like I was sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea out on the veranda in spring...an escape from the gray, rainy, cold weather today outside (and the fact I don't have a veranda).

I enjoyed the short list of organic, quality ingredients, the rich yet smooth chocolate, the uplifting citrus (bergamot orange), and the creaminess of the coconut milk. Yes, it was sweet; but it felt appropriately so, i.e. consistent with a cup of sweet tea/hot chocolate.

Note: this Winter Citrus blend is a Limited Batch flavor. So, it may not be available by the time you read this post. (Although I'd argue this would be a lovely chocolate for spring and summer too.)

Maker's tasting notes/description: "Cheery, Creamy, Citrusy. Our take on the holiday orange..." "We make our chocolate with unroasted cacao beans so you can taste the natural, fruity flavor of the cacao."

Ingredients: "organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic coconut milk powder, organic cacao butter, organic vanilla bean, organic bergamot oil"

Allergen-related information: Contains coconut. "Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free" "Certified Organic and Kosher"